Description
This festive Italian Cheese Loaf is a creamy and flavorful Christmas appetizer, loaded with a blend of cream cheese, sour cream, herbs, cheddar, roasted peppers, salami, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. Perfectly chilled and garnished with fresh herbs, it pairs beautifully with crackers for easy serving and a crowd-pleasing holiday treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Log Base
- 500g / 1 lb cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1/2 tsp rosemary
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp red pepper/chilli flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cups cheddar or other cheese, freshly grated
- 280g / 9 oz roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped
- 180g / 6 oz salami, finely chopped
- 3/4 cup green olives, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup green onion, finely minced (3–4 stalks)
Toppings and Garnish
- 220g / 7 oz sun dried tomato strips with oil, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped (or chives)
- Rosemary sprigs for decoration
- Jatz or other crackers for serving
Instructions
- Prepare Loaf Pan: Spray a loaf pan with oil and line it with cling wrap, leaving an overhang to help with easy removal later.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, herbs (thyme, oregano, basil, rosemary, black pepper), garlic powder, salt, red pepper flakes, cheddar cheese, roasted peppers, salami, green olives, and green onion. Mix thoroughly until well combined. Taste and adjust salt as needed, keeping in mind the saltiness of the crackers you’ll serve with.
- Shape the Loaf: Transfer the cheese mixture into the prepared loaf pan. Level the surface and press down firmly to remove any air pockets. Using a smaller loaf pan will result in a taller loaf.
- Chill: Cover the loaf with the overhanging cling wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though it can be chilled up to one week in advance to develop flavors.
- Unmold: When ready to serve, turn the loaf out onto a serving platter and carefully peel off the cling wrap.
- Add Toppings and Garnish: Spread the sun-dried tomato strips over the top of the loaf and drizzle with their oil. Garnish with finely chopped parsley (or chives) and rosemary sprigs for a festive presentation.
- Serve: For best flavor, bring the cheese loaf closer to room temperature before serving. Offer with Jatz or other crackers. The cheese is soft enough to scoop with the crackers, so knives for spreading are optional.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese to ensure easy mixing and a smooth texture.
- Sour cream adds tanginess and creaminess to balance the flavors.
- Freshly grated cheddar melts better into the mixture and enhances the cheesy flavor.
- Roasted peppers should be drained well to avoid excess moisture in the loaf.
- Salami adds a savory, meaty bite, but you can substitute with other cured meats as preferred.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes depending on your desired level of spiciness.
- The cheese loaf can be made up to a week in advance and kept chilled, making it ideal for holiday entertaining.
- Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature for best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian cheese loaf, Christmas appetizer, holiday cheese ball, savory cheese log, festive appetizer, creamy cheese spread
